Adam Lord

Lancaster City are through to the final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Padiham.

A thrilling cup tie ended 3-3 before the North West Counties Premier Division side missed all four of their spot kicks, Ricky Mercer and Craig Carney converting from 12 yards for City to set up a final with Chorley at Bolton Wanderers’ Macron Stadium.

It had been a crazy night at the County Ground in Leyland, Padiham leading three times only to be pegged back.

The Storks’ goals were all fine strikes, Chris Turner scoring two and Sean Cookson one, with Zach Clark, Craig Carney and Jacob Gregory, after Ryan Winder had missed a stoppage time penalty, on target for the Dolly Blues.

City looked bright going forwards early on, Tom Kilifin dragging the first chance wide from the edge of the area.

The Blues were behind on 11 minutes though. Turner had time to shoot in the area and his well-struck left-footed shot went in off Mike Hale’s near post.

Lancaster City boss Phil Brown and his assistant Dave McCann.

Phli Brown’s side nearly hit straight back with Gregory’s shot sailing over the bar and Carney’s driven effort being well held by former City stopper Mike Donlon.

Slowly but surely City began to get a firm grip on the game and they were level on 32 minutes.

Zach Clark had only just entered the field in place of the injured Rob Henry but when the ball broke to him in the area he kept his cool before firing low beyond Donlon.

As good as the Blues looked in attack they were still unconvincing defensively in the absence of captain Neil Marshall, Kieron Pickup failing to test Hale five minutes before the break when he had time to shoot from 15 yards.